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shoulder Synonyms

Another word for shoulder

Choosing another word for shoulder depends on context, so the 29 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 6 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• verb (Context 1)

To take on or assume a heavy burden, responsibility, blame, or expense.

Usage Example

"The municipal government agreed to assume the cost of repairing the damaged bridge."

Strongest
assume
bear
take on
accept
Strong
undertake
carry

• noun (Context 2)

A paved or unpaved strip of land bordering a highway or road where vehicles may stop in case of an emergency.

Usage Example

"The driver pulled over onto the gravel hard shoulder to inspect the flat tire."

Strongest
hard shoulder
Strong
verge
roadside
berm
breakdown lane

• verb (Context 3)

To lift and carry a heavy object upon one's shoulder.

Usage Example

"The hiker shouldered her heavy backpack and set off along the forest trail."

Strong
hoist
heft
sling
carry

• noun (Context 4)

A cut of meat encompassing the upper joint of the foreleg of an animal, such as pork, lamb, or beef.

Usage Example

"The chef slow-roasted a seasoned pork blade for six hours until the meat was tender."

Strong
blade
chuck
butt

• verb (Context 5)

To push someone or something out of one's way using one's shoulder.

Usage Example

"He politely but firmly shouldered his way through the crowded train station to catch his connection."

Strongest
jostle
elbow
Strong
shove
barge
muscle
nudge
push

• noun (Context 6)

A steep, sloping side or upper projection of a mountain, hill, or bottle.

Usage Example

"The hikers set up their base camp on a sheltered rocky spur just below the summit."

Strong
spur
ridge
flank
slope
ledge

Opposites of shoulder

The opposite of shoulder shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

shirk
set down
put down
evade
dodge
drop
shed
unload
See all opposites of shoulder

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Shoulder. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/shoulder
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